Hello all. It's my first time posting on this site, and I do it because I am completely lost right now.
I have an issue with either my transmission, the driveshaft running through the transmission or my differential. The problem is an unbelievable clunking and shaking once the transmission has reached a certain temp. say 15 miles of driving. It starts out with a small but noticeable shimmy in the steering wheel but soon becomes ever more noticeable because the whole dash starts to shake. You feel it more when "pulling" the engine, for example driving up a slight hill. It is possible to keep driving, it only gets worse to the point that I think it's gonna spit some gears or a driveshaft out. Coming to a complete stop for 1-3 minutes will let you proceed to drive in complete comfort for another 10 miles before the whole sh#$t show starts again. Also, it makes no difference what speed I'm going when it starts doing this, all that matters is that I can't resume driving at that speed because just the slightest amount of gas makes it shake really bad. What gear it is in doesn't matter either, I can "manually" shift it down to 3rd and even 2nd if my speed is right.

I'm guessing it has to do with my front shaft that runs through the gearbox and the bearings that support it. I'm just hoping somebody here could identify this problem because I just can't put my finger on it. The car is a -97 C4 Quattro Automatic. Thanks

-Andy

 

So NOBODY has any idea or input on what this might be? If my description wasn't clear enough, please ask questions and I will be happy to give more info. Thank you.

-Andy

 

Does pressing the brake affect the vibration?

 

Letting off the gas stops it from vibrating so I would say NO, it does not affect the vibration. I have not tried applying brakes to it while accelerating while its vibrating if that's what you mean.

 

Torque converter is physicly damaged inside possibly and when the car gets warm enough it will want to lock it. Maybe when it trys to lock the converter its slipping or somthing. Hooked up VAG COM to see if there are codes?

 

No codes in the TCM and I would say the O/D is already ON when going 60mph down the road. Also I can shift down and the same thing is happening.

 

Converter lock up and O/D are not the same thing, it can lock the converter in any gear. Low or high speeds. If the coolant temp or internal trans fluid temp is not high enough, it will not lock the converter. Seeming to make sense of the temperature related condition. I have doubts that worn bearings are just "suddenly" going to start making violent behavior, it would do it all the time and be wicked noisy.

 

few months ago my boyfriend broke the key in the ignition lock . we gave the lock to a friend who was going in Germany to buy us a new one. He came back with the new lock and told us that he left our broken in Germany. But the new one was for 5 speed car, not for automatic Audi 100 2,5 turbo diesel like our car. So we had to find new one for automatic since that one was not ok. Since it is older model we couldn't find new to buy near we leave and we had to pull out an lock from a car which was same model as ours but now the car wont change the automatic transmission (АKP) with electronic control. The car drive only like it in second speed and it won't change them automatically. Every service we visit says that they don't have schemes for this old type and they can't repair it. So please help, because the car is in good shape and I am very fond of it..not ready to give up on it

 

please...anyone...help, I am desperate here guys :9

 

Have you ever checked the level of the fluid? Put the car on a level surface, let idle until the fans kick on, open the side plug and if you do not get even a slight dribble is might be low.

The 4 speed is very touchy with needing the correct amount. I had this happen with mine when I had it changed, it was still too low and until it was topped off just right it made noises especially cold but it did not shimmy